query regarding valve replacement

[nobby]

Hi all,

After 18 months of 'watching & waiting' I am now on the waiting list for aortic root replacement and possibly aortic valve replacement. I am nervously waiting for a date - sometime before mid-september. The surgeon has said that he might be able to spare my natural valve, but may have to fit a mechanical one, however he won't know for certain until he has me opened up. All the tests so far (echo, mri, ecg) indicate that my valve is working OK with "insignificant regurgitation". The surgeon said that if I want him too, he could go ahead and just fit a mechanical valve anyway.

I am unsure which way to go. Sometimes I think I should ask him to do everything he possibly can in one go in order to avoid possible surgery in the future. At other times, I think that my heart & valves are working OK so I should just leave well alone and try to keep my own valve if possible.

Has anyone else been in this position? Can anyone offer me any advice?

Thanks

 

[Bean Counter]

Perhaps I missed it, but is your aortic valve bicuspid? It it is, I am in the camp that it is better to be pro-active about it and get everything done at once. Part of the reason I think this is because it only took me 1.5 years from the time they first discovered my BAV (and everything was fine) to the point where it needed to be replaced. Something else to consider is will insurance cover it if it is not absolutely necessary?

 

[scott.eitman]

Advice: Get a 2nd opinion.

It is hard to give much more advice than that without know more about you, your valve and your activity level.

I was in a similar situation for my 1st surgery however I was young and gave Dr. Cosgrove too much latitude. In other words, I knew what I wanted, but never was able to discuss it with the surgeon.

Scott

 

[nobby]

Thanks for the replies and advice guys.

Bean Counter: no, I am not biscupid and everything indicates that my heart/valves are all working as they should. My aortic root aneurysm was only found during a routine echo as part of investigations into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

 

[camgough]

I am bicuspid and had a valve sparing procedure a year ago. I was only 30 when I had the surgery, so I hoped to keep my valve since it was still working well. I know I will likely need a new valve surgery later in life, but not needing blood thinners for the time being is OK. Get a second opinion forsure, I had 2 and both surgeons said the same.